Pursue your passion for sports and prepare to change lives with a major in athletic coaching and recreation management from Dean College.
Create a dynamic career in a field that you love. The athletic coaching and recreation management program at Dean College combines real-world experience and in-depth academics to prepare you to work as an athletic coach at any level.
Program Overview
Coaches today do much more than run plays and win games. The best coaches are mentors and educators who inspire players to reach their goals in sports and in life.
As a athletic coaching and recreation management major at Dean College, you’ll prepare to do all that and more. Our program combines a solid academic foundation with activity-based classes and plenty of real-world experience. You’ll learn coaching fundamentals and theories alongside coursework in areas including:
- Fitness and conditioning
- Fundamentals of coaching
- Nutrition
- Personal conditioning skills
Beyond the Classroom
Practice your skills and put your knowledge to use in the world. At Dean, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to get hands-on coaching experience.
- Complete an internship with a Dean coach. Review recruiting videos, set up practice sessions, design a workout—you’ll discover what it takes to lead a team.
- Learn about the field from guest speakers who regularly visit Dean to share their stories, offer guidance and provide valuable networking contacts.
- Practice your skills by testing Dean athletes on their strength and fitness.
You’ll graduate with the skills and knowledge you need to pursue graduate study or launch a rewarding career as a coach at any level, including college and high school.
Uniquely Dean
What makes our Coaching and Recreation program best of breed?
- Tailor your academic studies to the sport of your choice.
- Learn what it takes to be a professional coach by shadowing Dean College coaches.
- Meet with professional coaches from organizations including the Providence Bruins, Pawtucket Red Sox and New England Revolution.
- Pursue a topic of interest through an in-depth project or paper.
- Gain hands-on experience by working with Dean College teams.
- Primary engagement with The Center for Business, Entertainment and Sport Management.
The variety of classes and hands-on experience that I received at Dean were crucial in preparing me for a career as a healthcare provider. I currently work as a medical assistant at a private orthopedic clinic, Ortho. Boston, and was recently accepted into the prestigious Northeastern Physician Assistant program. I look forward to intreating the benefits of physical activity and nutrition into the lives of my patients!
Dean has provided me with opportunities that I believed I could only dream of, including becoming a part of a championship-caliber soccer team. The abundance of resources on campus, from tutors, extended office hours and staff that go out of their way to ensure that you reach your goals, is a comforting characteristic.
DEGREE OFFERINGS
- Bachelor's Degree*
*The course listing below is based on the Bachelor's Degree program.
Athletic Coaching
| Course Number | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| SMGT 172 | Introduction to Sport Management | 3 |
| SMGT 187 | Individual/Team Sports | 3 |
| SMGT 200 | Coaching and Recreation Practicum | 3 |
| SMGT 203 | Sport Venue Management | 3 |
| SMGT 215 | Sport Ethics | 3 |
| SMGT 305 | Organization and Administration of Sport | 3 |
| SMGT 405 | Sport Law | 3 |
| SFL 170 | First Aid and Safety/CPR/AED | 3 |
| ACCT 103 OR ECO 150 | Financial Accounting or Principles of Economics | 3 |
| BUS 230 | Principles of Management | 3 |
| BUS 235 | Principles of Marketing | 3 |
| BUS 325 | Principles of Finance and Budgeting | 3 |
| BUS 405 | Leading the Organization | 3 |
| BUS 495 | Business Policy and Strategic Management | 3 |
| DCA 100 | Campus Connections: Making the Transition | 1 |
| DCA 110 | Career Connections: Developing Your Brand | 1 |
| DCA 200 | Internship Connections: Creating Your Plan | 1 |
| DCA 300 | The Internship Experience | 6 |
| DCA 350 | Future Connections: Launching Your Career | 3 |
| SMGT 188 | Fundamentals of Coaching | 3 |
| SFL 260 | Fundamentals of Physical Fitness and Conditioning | 3 |
| SMGT 418 | Advanced Coaching | 3 |
| Course Number | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENG 111 | Composition l | 3 |
| ENG 112 | Composition ll | 3 |
| SPC 101 | Communication Fundamentals | 3 |
| MATH ELECTIVE | Core Mathematics Elective | 3 |
| LAB SCIENCE ELECTIVE | Core Lab Science Elective | 4 |
| ARTS ELECTIVE | Core Distribution Arts Elective | 3 |
| NATURAL SCIENCES AND MATH ELECTIVE | Core Distribution Natural Sciences and Mathematics Elective | 3 |
| SMGT 174 | History and Philosophy of Sport and Physical Activity | 3 |
| PSY 111 | General Psychology | 3 |
| COM 327 | Applied Professional Communication | 3 |
| PSY 335 | Psychology of Sport | 3 |
| UDLA ELE | Upper-Division Liberal Arts Electives | 6 |
| Course Number | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ELE | Electives | 18 |
Recreation Management
| Course Number | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| SMGT 172 | Introduction to Sport Management | 3 |
| SMGT 187 | Individual/Team Sports | 3 |
| SMGT 200 | Coaching and Recreation Practicum | 3 |
| SMGT 203 | Sport Venue Management | 3 |
| SMGT 215 | Sport Ethics | 3 |
| SMGT 305 | Organization and Administration of Sport | 3 |
| SMGT 405 | Sport Law | 3 |
| SFL 170 | First Aid and Safety/CPR/AED | 3 |
| ACCT 103 OR ECO 150 | Financial Accounting or Principles of Economics | 3 |
| BUS 230 | Principles of Management | 3 |
| BUS 235 | Principles of Marketing | 3 |
| BUS 325 | Principles of Finance and Budgeting | 3 |
| BUS 405 | Leading the Organization | 3 |
| BUS 495 | Business Policy and Strategic Management | 3 |
| DCA 100 | Campus Connections: Making the Transition | 1 |
| DCA 110 | Career Connections: Developing Your Brand | 1 |
| DCA 200 | Internship Connections: Creating Your Plan | 1 |
| DCA 300 | The Internship Experience | 6 |
| DCA 350 | Future Connections: Launching Your Career | 3 |
| SMGT 317 | Sponsor Development and Digital Sports Hospitality | 3 |
| SMGT 429 | Sports Tourism Management | 3 |
| BUS 341 | Data Analysis and Decision Making | 3 |
| Course Number | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENG 111 | Composition l | 3 |
| ENG 112 | Composition ll | 3 |
| SPC 101 | Communication Fundamentals | 3 |
| MATH ELECTIVE | Core Mathematics Elective | 3 |
| LAB SCIENCE ELECTIVE | Core Lab Science Elective | 4 |
| ARTS ELECTIVE | Core Distribution Arts Elective | 3 |
| NATURAL SCIENCES AND MATH ELECTIVE | Core Distribution Natural Sciences and Mathematics Elective | 3 |
| SMGT 174 | History and Philosophy of Sport and Physical Activity | 3 |
| PSY 111 | General Psychology | 3 |
| COM 327 | Applied Professional Communication | 3 |
| PSY 335 | Psychology of Sport | 3 |
| UDLA ELE | Upper-Division Liberal Arts Electives | 6 |
| Course Number | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ELE | Electives | 18 |
Learn More
A student-athlete lifting weights in the athletic center.
A student working at the front desk at Kokes Fitness Center in the Dean College Campus Center.
Dean College students enjoyed a tour of the Citizens Bank Johnston Campus, which houses more than 3,000 employees, includes a dining center focused on nutrition, fitness center, sports fields and walking trails.
Dean College athletic trainer working with a student-athlete to help optimize her performance.
Students had the opportunity to tour corporate facilities to learn more about nutrition.
A coach encouraging a student-athlete during practice at Pieri Gymnasium.
Student-athletes taking time to study for a class in a Dean College classroom.
Experiential learning opportunities are embedded in every course, including visits to local businesses like Franklin Yoga and Wellness, where students learn skills that they can apply one day as trainers and coaches.
Students toured the Citizens Bank Johnston Campus to get a glimpse of what it would be like to work in a corporate fitness setting.